Ukraine Says Soldier Killed In Clashes In East

One Ukrainian soldier has been killed in clashes between Russia-backed separatists and government forces in the east of the country, Ukraine's military says.

Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said on February 21 that the soldier had died in a sniper attack on the government-held town of Maryinka, a recent flashpoint located 20 kilometers southwest of Donetsk.

He said the situation along the front line was "insecure," accusing the rebels of violating a shaky truce agreement over the past 24 hours.

The United Nations says that more than 9,000 people have been killed and some 20,000 injured since Russia-backed separatists began fighting against Ukraine's new pro-Western leadership in 2014.